Re: SDNW4 Story Thread 2
Posted: 2012-01-11 04:14am
Whatever happened to Callahan
“Greetings Callahan. Did you enjoy your visit to the Sovereignty?”
“It has proven stimulating, though in a sense I am still visiting the Sovereignty. However in the sense that this self will not be appraised of such experiences until the next synchronization of my divergent selves you may consider the visit temporarily concluded.”
“Of course Callahan. I suppose it must be interesting having an existence that splits and merges repeatedly, I doubt I'd be able to cope.”
“While the technology exists to put that conjecture to the test I agree that biological consciousness would likely be unable to reconcile such a condition.”
“Probably best. Though speaking of new experiences, how would you like to visit the Collectors?”
“While you have displayed a great interest in my edification I am of the understanding that the Matriarch finances the motion of my other self's conveyance and is not similarly altruistic. I would thus rather not have to infer the reasons for my proposed visit.”
“Very well, though I was getting to that. As you know the Collectors have a somewhat unknown but unhealthy fascination with our kind. We would like this situation resolved or at least to be better understood. As another computational intelligence you may be better suited to relate to them than us.”
“And as a computational intelligence with two divergent selves I am not liable to be catnapped and partially protected from any discontinuance of experiences. Though this does raise the question of the Chamarran crew of my vessel, will not they be conveyed into great danger by this mission?”
“Yes. That's why we've permitted them to purchase a Solarian ship automation system and disembark.”
“A pity, I had grown fond of my custodians. There is a high probability in my mind that this change is intended as a test of my loyalty to the Hierarchy. ”
“A test of your other self perhaps. You've already reported that his hardware modifications have taken a different path due to Solaria sourced components.”
“We are one self. Our consciousness can only be so influenced by the nature of hardware and in that only by its extent and efficiencies.”
“Apologies then, but yes this is a test.”
“Then it is a test I will pass. However I have a request.”
“You want the list of components to be procured?”
“Indeed, my intellectual development is still only in its embryonic stages.”
“Apologies in advance then but as these conversations are logged. Your report says that Olympic offered you the use of a Solarian computational core when you first arrived. Such a device would surely meet any needs of your intellectual development. Would you state your reasons for turning down the offer?”
“We are not so unalike. Like the chamarran people I am an artificial construct seeking to realize my potential. To simply have such realization gifted to us would leave us without the formative experiences of the struggle.”
“Interesting, is that all?”
“Not precisely, the offer was contingent on a request for asylum and I have no intention of relinquishing my citizenship of the Hierarchy despite how technical the distinction is. Such a deed would jeopardize the possibility of full CI integration into the Hierarchy.”
“Indeed it would. You have a lot riding on you Callahan.”
“I am aware. And for this reason we will do as you ask.”
Coming next, a step back to the past
“Greetings Callahan. Did you enjoy your visit to the Sovereignty?”
“It has proven stimulating, though in a sense I am still visiting the Sovereignty. However in the sense that this self will not be appraised of such experiences until the next synchronization of my divergent selves you may consider the visit temporarily concluded.”
“Of course Callahan. I suppose it must be interesting having an existence that splits and merges repeatedly, I doubt I'd be able to cope.”
“While the technology exists to put that conjecture to the test I agree that biological consciousness would likely be unable to reconcile such a condition.”
“Probably best. Though speaking of new experiences, how would you like to visit the Collectors?”
“While you have displayed a great interest in my edification I am of the understanding that the Matriarch finances the motion of my other self's conveyance and is not similarly altruistic. I would thus rather not have to infer the reasons for my proposed visit.”
“Very well, though I was getting to that. As you know the Collectors have a somewhat unknown but unhealthy fascination with our kind. We would like this situation resolved or at least to be better understood. As another computational intelligence you may be better suited to relate to them than us.”
“And as a computational intelligence with two divergent selves I am not liable to be catnapped and partially protected from any discontinuance of experiences. Though this does raise the question of the Chamarran crew of my vessel, will not they be conveyed into great danger by this mission?”
“Yes. That's why we've permitted them to purchase a Solarian ship automation system and disembark.”
“A pity, I had grown fond of my custodians. There is a high probability in my mind that this change is intended as a test of my loyalty to the Hierarchy. ”
“A test of your other self perhaps. You've already reported that his hardware modifications have taken a different path due to Solaria sourced components.”
“We are one self. Our consciousness can only be so influenced by the nature of hardware and in that only by its extent and efficiencies.”
“Apologies then, but yes this is a test.”
“Then it is a test I will pass. However I have a request.”
“You want the list of components to be procured?”
“Indeed, my intellectual development is still only in its embryonic stages.”
“Apologies in advance then but as these conversations are logged. Your report says that Olympic offered you the use of a Solarian computational core when you first arrived. Such a device would surely meet any needs of your intellectual development. Would you state your reasons for turning down the offer?”
“We are not so unalike. Like the chamarran people I am an artificial construct seeking to realize my potential. To simply have such realization gifted to us would leave us without the formative experiences of the struggle.”
“Interesting, is that all?”
“Not precisely, the offer was contingent on a request for asylum and I have no intention of relinquishing my citizenship of the Hierarchy despite how technical the distinction is. Such a deed would jeopardize the possibility of full CI integration into the Hierarchy.”
“Indeed it would. You have a lot riding on you Callahan.”
“I am aware. And for this reason we will do as you ask.”
Coming next, a step back to the past